Rägnar stood around the courtyard for some minutes, admiring the fighting techniques of the other combatants and their weaponry [color=ed1c24]"Bah, puny men..."[/color] he thought to himself, sitting on the table full of fruit from which the young slave had previously grabbed something which the barbarian did not see. Taking an apple and biting it, slowly walking around as he saw the armor and weapons the guards carried: It was expensive, this lady surely had wealth and fame around these parts. [color=ed1c24]"Yes, I can be her champion, the best of the best in this group..."[/color] Rägnar chuckled, glancing to where the woman was, accompanied by her steward, the strange man and his young slave [color=ed1c24]"Hmph, they're taking too much time, I didn't come here to wait!"[/color]. 

Tapping his foot nervously, he grasped an axe from his belt, watching as some of the guards eyed him in suspicion "I'm just sharpening it!" he yelled back at them, his tone and naturally rough voice echoing throughout the manor itself, taking a small and crude whetstone from his leather pack and starting to, well, sharpen the axe. "I'm sure half of the men here don't even know how to build traps..." he spat on the ground, his face revealing some sort of anger and pride, more than likely because of having to wait and the sight of people with easy lifes. He always hated rich people, almost as much as mages, but if he could gain something from them...eh, why not.

Soon enough Loreia was free to greet the next of the would-be gladiators, and one of the nearby guards signaled that Rägnar should approach. By the looks of them, it was obvious that they would prefer if he did so slowly. The Lady Valens herself looked a bit apprehensive at the sight of him, but it was an expression she allowed to last only for a moment before she smoothed over her features, regarding him neutrally.

[color=f08080]"Well met,"[/color] she greeted, nodding her head slightly. [color=f08080]"My name is Loreia Valens. Welcome to the Valens Gladiatorial School."[/color]

The barbarian crossed his arms in front of the woman sitting on the chair, raising an eyebrow at all of the decorations around the room, taking his time to admire the delicate flowers that made the place itself appear more natural than it was supposed to be. Rägnar wasn't the kind of man that lowers himself in front of anyone, but this time the situation demanded it, so he slowly knelt down and bowed at the lady. [color=ed1c24][b]"I...uh, the name's Rägnar Ironhide, although you may have heard of me as The Orc..."[/b][/color] he said, raising up his gaze to look at the facial expression of Loreia: She was indeed beautiful, but beauty was something for high-class novelty and wealthy members of society.

[color=ed1c24][b]"I know you're looking for fighters for the tournament, so here I am"[/b][/color] the tone of his voice was stern, but it was obvious that he was trying to appear as civilized and respectful as ever: This may be the only chance to gain the glory and honor he had been always searched for, roaming lands and doing whatever job they asked him to...for the right price. [color=ed1c24][b]"I'm strong and brave, and although I could surely win the tournament by myself, you must be curious as to where my abilities lie, ain't that right?"[/b][/color] He said with a chuckle, slowly letting his hair fall down to shoulder-length, which was previously in a topknot.

Loreia couldn't say she'd heard of anyone by that title, but then, she hadn't made it her business to keep up with the goings-on of mercenaries, wandering warriors. Even most of the current famous gladiators were unknown to her, all save for those that had once trained on these grounds. Her eyes were drawn momentarily towards the entrance gate, where another gladiator had arrived. The more the merrier, she supposed. She would need at least four to make a team.

[color=f08080]"Obviously humility is one of your greatest strengths,"[/color] she remarked wryly, moving on quickly enough. [color=f08080]"I admit I haven't met many Torgureni, but you are clearly capable, and I'll not deny the help."[/color] She doubted his motives lined up with her own at all, but then again, she hadn't expected as civil a greeting as this. Perhaps he would surprise her more. 

[color=f08080]"Tell me, how is it that you came to be here, this far into the Empire? It's a long way to our northern border."[/color] Gladiators often came from all over to tournaments like these, but if he was Torgureni, it wasn't immediately clear why he hadn't thrown himself into one of [i]their[/i] arenas instead.

The man shuffled a bit on his spot, it was obvious he wasn't comfortable around deep and thoughtful conversations, keeping everything to himself and not really establishing a meaningful relationship since...well, a long time ago.

 [color=ed1c24][b]"I search glory."[/b][/color] he replied [color=ed1c24][b]"My family was dishonored and I avenged them, but I will not rest until I find tales worth telling when I'm up there with her..."[/b][/color] he advanced towards the lady, kneeling in front of her and looking at her directly in the eye [color=ed1c24][b]"I am strong, but my mother told me to always best myself, and that I will."[/b][/color] he then slowly grabbed a small pendant from his leather pack, showing it to her:

It was obvious that it had been made a long time ago, and it was made from an alloy of kinds of metals, which made it shine even when it was dirty, quickly retracting his hand and scratching his right eye with a hand, rubbing his beard. [color=ed1c24][b]"Want me to show you what a Torgureni can do after years of practice?"[/b][/color] He grinned, patting both of his axes: He definitely was an imposing figure, but it also had some kind of attraction by the way he acted, a fine line between feral and civilized.

Attraction didn't seem to be the effect it was having on Loreia, though. She looked vaguely uncomfortable in her seat, though as before she was able to conceal any expression that might've formed on her face. [color=f08080]"I'm sure that won't be necessary, Rägnar. Perhaps the demonstration can be saved for the arena."[/color] She didn't doubt he had skill and strength in equal measure with his weapons. [color=f08080]"And the kneeling isn't necessary."[/color] She had no intention of being ruler or owner to anyone on her team. A leader, if she was capable of it, but no more.

[color=f08080]"I'm sorry about your family. I still seek justice for my own, and I hope influence earned in the arena may lead me to it."[/color] Amulius gently touched her shoulder from her side, retracting the hand as soon as it came, and Loreia knew how to interpret that. A reminder not to delve into anything too personal with dangerous strangers. She shifted in her seat slightly, changing the subject.

[color=f08080]"Have you worked in a team before, by chance? Our opponents will be experienced in teamwork and coordination, and we'll need to match if we hope to survive."[/color] 

Rägnar looked at the steward with a furious gaze, before understanding that the touching was merely a signal, not an uncomfortable touch of some kinda, coughing into his hand before looking up at Loreia again. Obviously, Loreia was trying to hide the mild fear she felt from the barbarian...and he could smell it; not literally of course, but he sensed it, the small glances from side to side, the shuffling on the spot, it was clear. [color=ed1c24][b]"Well, if you are planning to kill someone to avenge your family, I have experience in that."[/b][/color] the man gently leaned against the wall, much more relaxed now.

[color=ed1c24][b]"I have worked with mercenary groups and bounty-hunters, although I prefer working alone and teammates can be a pain in the ass sometimes."[/b][/color] He loudly laughed, some of the guards outside turning their heads as to wonder what was so funny. [color=ed1c24][b]"But if they stay out of my way and help me chop heads, they're welcome to do whatever."[/b][/color] The barbarian raised and lowered his eyebrows in a comedic manner, grinning once again and turning his head to look outside of the tent, scratching his long beard once again [color=ed1c24][b]"I suppose more people are coming to see you...I'll take my leave if you want."[/b][/color] he asked, his once formal manners seemingly gone after he had seen how his "Leader" was going to be.

[color=f08080]"Of course,"[/color] she said. [color=f08080]"Thank you for assisting me. I hope this team can bring you the glory you seek."[/color]